Havanna Demers (blue), representing Canada, competes against Shannon Cabane of France (red) during a bout at the U19 World Boxing Futures Cup at Huamak Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 6–15, 2026. (Image Credit: Quenten Demers/submitted)

By Kenneth Cheung

LOCAL TALENT

Sask. teen boxer breaks into world’s top 17 after first international bout in Bangkok

Mar 18, 2026 | 12:57 PM

Under towering screens and flashing lights in Bangkok, Havanna Demers stepped into the ring and into a level of boxing she had never faced before.

The 16-year-old from Rapid View, just west of Meadow Lake, arrived at the U19 World Boxing Futures Cup with a growing résumé, including four provincial titles, two national medals, and a Western Canadian championship.

But on the international stage, the pace shifted, the judging changed, and the margin for error narrowed.

Her first opponent was Shannon Cabane of France.

“She was a really tough girl,” said her coach and father, Quenten Demers. 

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“She ended up getting fifth overall, and she never lost. Actually, she couldn’t continue due to an injury. She got a head butt and her eye was all swollen and cut. So she was definitely a metal contender, and it was unfortunate we got her first.” 

Havanna Demers (blue), representing Canada during a bout at the U19 World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. (Image Credit: Quenten Demers/submitted)

Havanna fought one match and lost in the first round. On paper, it reads as a quick exit. In reality, it marked the beginning of a shift as she finished 17th in the world, a result that, not long ago, would have felt out of reach. 

What the bout revealed was not just the level of competition, but the difference in how the sport is fought and judged beyond Canada.

“In Canada, basically they reward aggression. You come forward and you control the center of the ring, and you have a pretty good chance that you’re going to win the match,” her father said. 

“On the world stage, they’re not looking for that. They’re looking for you to set up your punches. It’s much more technical. You have to be a complete fighter.” 

Havanna entered the ring with the style that had brought her success at home, pressing forward, trying to impose control.

“And what happened was it left ourselves in a position to be countered,” he continued. 

The loss came quickly. The learning did not.

After her elimination, Havanna stayed in the gym, sparring with fighters from Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Italy and Poland – many ranked among the world’s top 10. 

“When she started implementing those things and sparring, she thrived.”

Havanna Demers (left) poses after Day 1 sparring sessions with Australia’s Seanadh McEleney (middle) and Poland’s Lena Klosowska at the U19 World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. (Image Credit: Quenten Demers/submitted)

For Havanna, the experience reshaped how she sees the sport and herself within it.

“It was a super amazing experience going to this tournament. It was absolutely amazing,” she said. “And this is my first time fighting internationally, so it was definitely like a different, whole new experience.” 

Even in defeat, the lesson settled in.

“Sometimes learning is better than winning,” she said. 

The adjustments are already clear – smaller details that now carry more weight.

“Better hand position, moving my head more, being patient, setting up my punches instead of just throwing my attacks like I did.” 

Around her, the tournament unfolded on a scale she had never seen, a spectacle of lights, sound and global talent.

“I walked in and I was literally like, mind blown. The light show, just like the whole setup of the rings, like, it was amazing.” 

Members of Team Canada pose in front of Huamak Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand during the U19 World Boxing Futures Cup. (Image Credit: Quenten Demers/submitted)

Inside the Huamak Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand during the U19 World Boxing Futures Cup. (Image Credit: Quenten Demers/submitted)

Outside the arena, Bangkok moved with its own intensity.

“The traffic there was insane, like, so so so busy, and they just drive so crazy,” Havanna said with a laugh. 

But inside, the culture around combat sports left a lasting impression.

“What I did really liked about Thailand was how much like the martial arts and boxing are highly respected.” 

Team Canada members, including (l to r) head coach Brad Ross, Sunny Meredith, Misha Polishchuk, Memphis McIntosh (front), Jayden Willis, coach Andrienne Parent, Jatgen Willis, Mehreen Khakh and Havanna Demers, pose for a picture in Bangkok, Thailand. (Image Credit: Quenten Demers/submitted)

Although the result may show a first-round loss, the experience points somewhere else entirely.

Back home, plans are already forming for her return to the ring, with another bout expected as early as May. 

The next time Havanna Demers steps into a fight, it won’t just be with experience but with a deeper understanding of what it takes to compete, and belong, on the world stage.

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com